Failed IVF Cycle with PCOS

[MrsB923]

I wondered if anyone had any tips / advice on IVF with lean PCOS. No male factor, anovulatory due to PCOS, just turned 30. Ttc over 2 years, clomid and letrozole both failed after a year of trying, so we just paid for a private round of IVF. I had around 40 follicles on my final scan and was told I’d get around 25+ eggs. I was shocked when they told me they only retrieved 7, but even more shocked when fewer fertilised and by day 3 I was told none would make it.

I thought IVF would solve all my problems, and I’m struggling to understand how this went so wrong?! It sounds like I was overstimulated, but how can I ensure the next round isn’t such a disaster?

Any advice or tips welcome!

Weren't your clinic aware that you had pcos before starting treatment? Your amh should have been an indicator that you would be at risk of over stimulating.
I'm starting ivf next month and I was told that I'll be doing a short protocol with low dose . The purpose being to avoid OHSS , where you respond too much, as it can be serious. The hope is also that by focusing on retrieving a smaller amount of eggs, that helps focus on quality of just a few and that they will be mature as opposed to your body focusing on just making lots of follicles as they will most likely be immature.
Unfortunately theres never a guarantee with ivf. The good news your only 30. You've got plenty of time on your side . I would speak to your clinic regarding your protocol or change clinic. It seems strange they put you at risk like that. OHSS can be very serious. They should have adjusted your medication when they saw you were responding too well

Hi @MoonlightDreamer Firstly congrats and good luck with your round! They knew my AMH (22, so not very high I’m told) and my antral follicle count before treatment - this was all tested by them before treatment planning. I did ask about the dose but they assured me they put me on the lowest dose they do, 150 iu, although I’m also surprised it wasn’t adjusted. They did change me to a freeze all and changed my trigger but unfortunately it didn’t help things. I’ve got OHSS now and have been back at the clinic for IV fluids, it’s horrible and has definitely been the worst bit of the process!

Hopefully our next round will be less aggressive!

Glad to hear your getting treatment.
How long did you take your meds?
I've been prescribed 150iu bemfola for 3 days . Then centroide 0.25 for 3 days
how many days did they give you?
. Did you have a halfway scan ? I think they are bringing me in for an earlier scan aswell as halfway just to monitor how I'm responding. I'm also at risk of ohss.
What did they trigger you with?

I did 150 ovaleap for 11 days and my first scan was day 9 but nobody seemed to detect anything untoward… I was given the burserelin trigger but I’ve still ended up in hospital with severe OHSS. I wouldn’t wish this pain upon anyone, and I’m not sure I could ever try IVF again given what’s happened over the past few days. Glad your clinic are taking it seriously.